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  • Alvis TD 21 (1958-1963)

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Sports Cars
Britain
1950s 1960s

Alvis TD 21

Alvis TD 21 motor car history
ManufacturerAlvis Cars
TypeLuxury car
Production1958–1963  
Produced1070
Body style2 door saloon, Drophead coupé
LayoutFR layout
EngineAlvis 3.0 L Straight-6
Transmission4 speed manual, automatic
Wheelbase111.5 in (2,832 mm)
Length188.5 in (4,788 mm)
Width66 in (1,676 mm)
Height57 in (1,448 mm)

 

The Alvis TD21 also called the Alvis Three Liter Series II, was a British sporting car made by Alvis cars between 1958 and 1963.

History

The Alvis TD21 was an updated version of the TC 108G with body construction by Park Ward who were better able to supply them to the quantity, quality and price required.They were slightly taller and a drophead coupé was added to the range.

The 2993 cc engine was again uprated, now producing 115 bhp (86 kW) mainly by an improved cylinder head and increasing the compression ration from 8.0:1 to 8.5:1.

PERFORMANCE:

Fuel Consumption: 20.0 m/imp gal, 16.7 m/US gal, 14.1 | x 100 km;
Max speed: 108 mph, 165 km/h;
max power (SAE): 124 hp at 4000 rpm
max torque (SAE): 152 1b ft, 21.0 kgm at 2500 rpm
max number of engine rpm: 5000
max speed in 1st gear: 38 mph, 61.2 km/h
max speed in 2nd gear: 58 mph, 93.4 km/h
max speed in 3rd gear: 84 mph, 135.2 km/h
max speed in 4th gear: 102.5 mph, 165 km/h
power-weight ratio: 26.2 lb/hp, 11.9 kg/hp
useful load: 882 1b, 400 kg
acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 19.5 sec O— 50 mph (0 —80 km/h) 9.5 sec

A new four speed gearbox from the Austin-Healey appeared and Borg Warner three speed automatic transmission was offered. Overdrive was available on the manual transmission from late 1960 to 1962. Suspension was similar to the TC 21, independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear but the track was increased by 1 in (25 mm) to 55.5 in (1,410 mm) and a front anti roll bar added. Wire spoked wheels became an option. From 1959 the all drum brake set up was changed to discs at the front retaining drums at the rear.

VARIATIONS AND OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES:
Laycock-de Normanville overdrive on 3 and 4th, ratio 0.8
Borg-Warner automatic gear box, hydraulic torque convertor and planetary gears with 3 ratios (1st 2.308, 2nd 1.435, 3rd 1, Rev 2.008),
axle ratio 3.54 : 1.

1961 Alvis TD21 Cabriolet

Series II

In January 1962 the car was upgraded to the TD 21 Series II with four wheel disc brakes and in October that year a five speed manual ZF gearbox. The previously stand alone fog lamps were built into the front of the car.

In Film and Television

1963 Alvis TD21 Series-II

 1959 Alvis TD 21 in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Movie from 2011
1959 Alvis TD 21 3-Litre Series I in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Movie, 2011
 
 Alvis TD 21 in Heatbeat tv series

Alvis TD 21 in Heatbeat itv series

Related items
Britain 1950s | Vehicles launched in 1958 | With SU carbs | Park Ward | Heartbeat | Luxury Cars | Film Cars

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Technical

Service
  • Alvis TD 21 Service instructions (1958-1963)


    fuel: petrol, 85-90 Oct
    engine oil: 6.0 imp qt, 7.2 US qt, 6.8 1, SAE 20-30 (winter) 30-40 (summer), change every 2000 miles, 3200 km
    gearbox oil: 2.3 imp qt, 2.7 US qt, 2.6 1, SAE 30, change every 5000 miles, 8000 km
    final drive oil: 1.8 imp qt, 2.1 US qt 2 1, SAE 90, change every 5000 miles, 8000 km
    greasing: every 1000 miles, 1600 km, 22 points;
    tappet clearances: inlet 0.009 in, 0.23 mm hot, exhaust 0.012 in, 0.30 mm hot;
    valve timing: (inlet) opens 130 before tdc and closes 460 after bdc, (exhaust)opens 53° before bdc and closes 6° after tdc
    tyre pressure (medium load): front 26 psi, 1.8 atm, rear 28 psi, 2.0 atm.
    tyres: 6.00/6.40 - 15
    fuel tank capacity: 14.30 imp gal, 17.16 US gal, 65 1.

    © Motor car History

Technical
  •  Alvis TD 21 Technical details and specifications (1958-1963)

    ENGINE:
    ENGINE CAPACITY: 183.05 cu in, 2993 cu cm
    front, 4 stroke
    cylinders: 6, in line
    bore and stroke: 3.31 x 3.54 in, 84.1 x 89.9 mm
    engine capacity: 183.05 cu in, 2993 cu cm
    compression ratio: 8.5 : 1
    cylinder block: cast iron, wet liners
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 7
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, parallel, with push-rods and rockers
    camshaft: 1, side
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter
    lubricating system capacity: 6.5 imp qt, -7.8 US qt, 7.4 1
    carburation: 2 SU type H6 carburettors
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: water


    TRANSMISSION:
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gear box: mechanical; gears: 4 + reverse
    synchromesh gears: 1, 2, 4
    gear box ratios: (1) 2.928, (2) 2.053, (3) 1.308, (4) 1, (Rev) 3.780
    gear lever location: central
    final drive: hypoid bevel;ratio: 3.77 : 1.

    CHASSIS:
    box-type frame, cross members
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING:
    recirculating ball
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 3.3.

    BRAKES:
    disc, servo.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 51 Ah
    dynamo: 300 W
    ignition distributor: Lucas

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT: saloon & convertible
    wheel base: 111.50 in, 2832 mm
    front track: 55.62 in, 1413 mm
    rear track: 54.12 in, 1375 mm
    overall length: 188.50 in, 4788 mm
    overall width: 66.00 in, 1676 mm
    overall height: 60.00 in,1524 mm
    ground clearance: 7.00 in, 178 mm
    dry weight: 3248 1b, 1473 kg
    distribution of weight: 52% front axle, 48% rear axle
    turning radius (between walls): 21.0 ft, 6.4 m
    width of rims: 4.5"

    © Motor car History

Manuals

Download: Workshop manuals Tech Guides exclusive to registered users.

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